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Goldsmith issues warning about Heathrow noise pollution

A third runway at Heathrow would result in noise pollution for one million people across London, Conservative mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith has warned.

Congestion, noise and air pollution would affect vast areas of the capital, he warned as he unveiled a map highlighting the predicted scale of the impact.

London mayor Boris Johnson said that the map showed the “full insanity” of the proposal.

He said: “It will be a disaster for this city. There will be a ferocious lobby to get this through. The pro Heathrow cause are very organised and determined. But we can and we will win.

“There is no other city in the western world that would dream of doing something so insane.”

The intervention comes ahead of the much-anticipated report by the Airports Commission which will recommend whether Heathrow or Gatwick should be expanded.

An analysis by Goldsmith’s office has identified that it could cost up to £15 billion to upgrade roads and infrastructure to offset the congestion that a Heathrow expansion might create.

Goldsmith told The Telegraph: “We need to flex our muscles on this. The project is undeliverable. Across the board, we will fight this project.”

Lord True, leader of Richmond upon Thames borough council, said that people “will be on the march” if expansion of Heathrow is granted, adding: “It is sheer madness on every term.”

A Heathrow spokesman said: “This sort of scaremongering and misinformation is unhelpful to local residents.

“The independent Airports Commission, made up of objective, technical experts, has made its views clear – Heathrow expansion can take place while reducing the number of people impacted by noise.”

The spokesman added that the airport had not published its own map because flight plans were still subject to consultation.

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